Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka produce solid batting display as South African bowlers toil hard

Pathum Nissanka & Angelo Mathews. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Batters ruled the roost on Day 2 of the second Test between South Africa (SA) and Sri Lanka (SL) at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, on Friday, December 6. After Kyle Verreynne’s memorable century in the first session, Sri Lankan batters came to the party and helped their team get to a position of strength at the end of the day’s play.

South Africa started the day at 269/7, with Verreynne batting on 48, with Keshav Maharaj for company. The left-arm spinner was dismissed for a duck as the Sri Lankans looked confident about dismissing the hosts below the 300-run mark. However, Kagiso Rabada joined Verreynne in the middle and played an enterprising knock of 23, keeping the opposition bowlers at bay. The wicketkeeper-batter mixed caution with aggression and stitched a vital 56-run stand off 76 balls with Rabada.

After Rabada was dismissed, Verreynne cut loose as he scored some quick runs en route to his third Test century. The 27-year-old added 33 runs off 17 balls with Dane Paterson to take the home side beyond the 350-run mark. Verreynne remained unbeaten on 105 off 133 deliveries, hitting 12 fours and three sixes as South Africa were bowled out for 358. Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 4/79 in 17.4 overs.

Sri Lankan openers survived a tricky little passage of play before lunch but Kagiso Rabada gave South Africa the first breakthrough when he dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne in the early goings of the second session. Dinesh Chandimal joined forces with Pathum Nissanka and the duo added 109 runs for the second wicket.

After Chandimal was dismissed for 44, Nissanka found another experienced partner in Angelo Mathews and the duo added 49 runs for the third wicket. Nissanka was looking set to register his his third Test ton. However, he threw his wicket away while attempting to play an over-ambitious shot against Keshav Maharaj. The opening batter was out bowled as he had to make the long walk back to the pavilion after scoring 89 off 157 balls.

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Mathews and the in-form Kamindu Mendis forged an unbeaten 43-run partnership to take Sri Lanka through to Stumps with the score at 242/3. The Island Nation is trailing South Africa’s first innings score by 116 runs. With the pitch not offering much help for the bowlers, Sri Lanka will look to take a considerable first innings lead on Day 3.

Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to all the action from Day 2: